On a dark blue field sits the New York State coat of arms. At its center is a shield showing a river, mountains, and a rising sun. Liberty and Justice stand as supporters, while an eagle rests atop a globe above the motto ‘Excelsior,’ meaning ‘Ever Upward.’
Dark blue field with the New York State coat of arms centered
Ratio: 2:3
Flag at a Glance
- Designer
- Legislative adoption
- Ratio
- 2:3
- Text on flag
- Yes
- Animals
- Eagle
- Design type
- Seal on blue
- Complexity
- 8/10
- Readability
- 3/10
- Seal-based design
- Yes
Colors used
Flag Symbolism
Blue Field
Represents vigilance and justice.
Liberty
Symbolizes freedom from tyranny and monarchy.
Justice
Represents fairness and rule of law.
Sunrise
Symbolizes hope and a new beginning.
Eagle
Represents strength, vigilance, and national sovereignty.
Globe
Symbolizes global reach and awareness.
Design Breakdown
The New York flag can be described in a simple build order. This is useful for students learning how flags are constructed.
- Start with the base field described in the construction.
- Add the main shapes first (large stripe, field divisions, or background forms).
- Place the primary symbol(s) in their main position(s) (centre, canton, etc.).
- Finish with details like text, small emblems, and final color fills.
Construction note: Dark blue field with the New York State coat of arms centered
What Makes This Flag Unique
A lot of state flags share common themes. This one stands out for a few reasons:
- Two allegorical female figures
- Eagle perched on a globe
Praised and Criticised
Common praise
- Strong historical symbolism
- Classical allegorical figures
Common criticism
- Difficult to identify at a distance
- Text-heavy seal design
Modern Discussion
Redesign debate: Yes
Common suggestions
- Simplify the design using an eagle or sun motif
- Remove text and detailed seal
- Create a Hudson River–inspired design
Notable proposals
- 2019: Civic discussions suggested modernizing the seal-based design
For Teachers & Students
Classroom-ready prompts, printables, and citation info for studying the New York state flag.
Subjects
Learning objectives
- Identify Liberty and Justice as allegorical figures.
- Understand the meaning of the motto ‘Excelsior.’
- Recognize why many U.S. flags use blue fields.
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Printable classroom handouts for this flag page.
Cite this page
Copy and paste a ready-made citation.
MLA
APA
Note: Citation formats can vary by school. These are common classroom defaults.
Seal Deep Dive
Liberty
Represents freedom and independence.
Attributes: Liberty cap, Staff
Justice
Represents fairness and impartial law.
Attributes: Blindfold, Scales
Shield
Meaning: Trade routes, geography, and economic foundation
Eagle
Meaning: Strength, vigilance, and global outlook
Historical Timeline
Original coat of arms created
Flag officially adopted
Seal updated with national motto
Vexillology Notes
Design type: Seal on blue
Complexity: 8/10
Readability: 3/10
Fascinating Facts
The motto ‘Excelsior’ means ‘Ever Upward.’
The state nickname ‘Empire State’ reflects wealth and influence.
Liberty and Justice appear as human supporters on the flag.
The eagle is perched on a globe rather than a shield.
The design is classified as a seal-on-blue flag.
The rising sun symbolizes progress and renewal.
The flag contains two Latin mottos.
The design has remained largely unchanged since 1901.
State Information
- Population
- 19,571,216
- Area
- 54,555
- Founded
- Region
- Northeast
